More than 300,000 Chinese tourists have visited the Maldives so far this year, surpassing the full-year total of 263,042 recorded in 2024 and cementing China’s position as the island nation’s leading source market.
The surge has helped propel overall international arrivals to 1.8 million between 1 January and 11 November, according to figures released by the Ministry of Tourism and Environment. That represents a 9.8% increase compared with the same period last year, signalling renewed strength in a sector that remains a cornerstone of the Maldivian economy.
On average, the Maldives is now welcoming 6,446 visitors a day. Chinese nationals account for 15% of all arrivals, with the year-to-date total of 300,352 visitors from China marking a 14% rise on the country’s full-year figure in 2023.
The ministry also named the five countries contributing the highest number of tourists this year. While China leads by a clear margin, Russia ranks second with 239,004 visitors, followed by the United Kingdom (168,597), Germany (141,739) and Italy (124,406).
Tourism is a critical lifeline for the Maldives, which relies heavily on foreign arrivals to sustain its economy. The latest figures suggest the sector is rebounding strongly, buoyed by demand from Asian and European markets.
